Senegal awaits report on French colonial-era bloodbath of Thiaroye

[ad_1] An official report commissioned by Senegal on the killing of dozens of African WWII troops by French forces in 1944 will probably be introduced to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Thursday.

The violent incident on the Thiaroye army camp simply outdoors Dakar occurred after African troopers who had fought for France throughout the conflict protested in opposition to pay delays.

Many gray areas stay surrounding the bloodbath, together with the variety of riflemen killed, their identities and the burial websites of the victims, who weren't solely Senegalese but additionally got here from different West African nations.

Watch extra Thiaroye 44: Investigating a colonial-era bloodbath in Senegal

In April 2024 Senegalese authorities established a committee of researchers to create the report back to undergo the federal government.

A press launch from the Senegalese Authorities Info Workplace on Wednesday introduced that the paper can be submitted to President Fay Thursday, roughly half a yr after its authentic due date

"A product of rigorous analysis, documentation and focus, the white paper goals to make clear the circumstances surrounding the bloodbath, honour the reminiscence of the victims, and promote shared historic recognition among the many nations involved," the press launch mentioned.

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After arriving on the Thiaroye army camp, discontent mounted over unpaid wages and calls for to be handled on a par with white troopers. Some protesters refused to return to their house nations with out their due.

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French forces opened fireplace on December 1, killing not less than 35 individuals, French authorities mentioned on the time. Historians say the true loss of life toll could possibly be as excessive as 400.

The Senegalese authorities accuses France of withholding archival paperwork that may make clear the loss of life toll.

Former French president Francois Hollande introduced throughout a go to in late 2014 that he had "handed over a duplicate of all the archives" on Thiaroye.

Final November, France acknowledged the bloodbath the day earlier than commemoration of its eightieth anniversary, which Senegal marked on an unprecedented scale.